78 SKETCHES OF EUROPEAN ORNITHOLOGY. 



An adult individual^ natural size, of the Siberian Jay — Garru- 

 lus infauslus, Temm. — Geai imitateur, Fr. This plate could 

 scarcely be surpassed ; it is perfectly alive, and is drawn and co- 

 loured in the best style. Inhabits the north of Europe, its soft and 

 compact plumage being well fitted to enable it to brave the rigours 

 of the severest winters. It is found in woods, and feeds on various 

 wild berries, insects, larvae. Worms, &c. Builds, in Fir trees, a nest 

 consisting of sticks and grass, and lays five eggs. Both sexes are 

 alike. This bird should not remain in the genus Garrulus. 



Adults, in the summer and winter garb, of the Redshank Sand- 

 piper — Totanus calidris, Bechst. — Chevalier gambette, Fr. — Tota- 

 na gambetta. It. — Rothfussiger Wasserlaiifer, G. We much prefer 

 the right hand figure to the other. Inhabits Europe, and is indige- 

 nous in Britain, frequenting the sea-coast or the borders of rivers 

 and marshy tracts, where it constructs a frail nest in a tuft of herb- 

 age, and lays four eggs, greenish-yellow, spotted with brown, most 

 thickly at the large end. The sexes are similar as regards plumage, 

 but the female is somewhat larger than the male. 



Part VI. — Merlin Falcon — Falco cesalorij Temm. — Faucon 

 emerillon, Fr. — Falco smeriglio, It. — Stein Falke, G. An adult 

 male and a young male, the latter agreeing in plumage with the 

 adult female, are figured. Both these representations have the 

 same faults which we have mentioned when speaking of Mr. Gould's 

 other Falconidae, but in this, as in every other case, the species in- 

 tended would be recognized by the ornithologist at a single glance. 

 This little Falcon is found throughout Europe, but is rare in Hol- 

 land. In the south of England it is a winter visiter, but is resident 

 in other parts. The male, in the mature plumage, which is at- 

 tained at the third year, has been termed " Stone Falcon." Feeds 

 on various small birds. Builds on the ground, or, according to some, 

 in the holes of rocks and trees. Eggs, three to five, pale blue, 

 spotted with brown, most thickly at the large end. 



Blue Rockiet — Petrocincla cyanea, Vig. — Rochet bleu, Fr. — 

 Passera solitaria. It. — Blaue Rodel, G. Male and female, natural 

 size, in extremely stiff and unnatural attitudes, though the feather- 

 ing is good. Common in the south of Europe, inhabiting rocky 

 and mountainous districts. Habits shy and solitary. Builds in 

 clefts of rocks, holes of walls, trees, &c. Eggs dull greenish-white. 

 Subsists on Grasshoppers, berries, and the like. The female is much 

 duller in colour than the male. 



Great Reedling — Salicaria turdoides, Selby — Verderolle rousse- 

 roUe, Fr. — Grosse Karakiet, G. A stiff and uncouth figure, repre- 



